Jacob's House in Temecula hires executive director

TEMECULA  Jacob's House, the nonprofit hospitality home founded by former Temecula City Manager Shawn Nelson, has hired Linda Mejia as executive director, according to a news release issued by the nonprofit's board of directors.

Mejia has more than 30 years experience working in the public safety and civil service realms. The nonprofit recently bought a large ranch home on Jedediah Smith Road near Margarita Road. Nelson stated in the release that she will help the nonprofit "hit the ground running" when it opens the home later this year.

The nonprofit was founded by Nelson as a memorial to his son Jacob, who died from injuries suffered during a 2006 car crash.

Like Nelson, Mejia also has dealt with tragedy.

"Four years after my son Adam's death, my first grandchild was fighting for her life with heart disease. Julie died at three-and-a-half months of age. Between Adam and Julia, I spent many days, weeks and months living at various hospital hospitality houses," she is quoted as saying in the release. "These experiences taught me about the need, the gift and the value of such facilities for my family and my daughter's family."

The house on Jedediah Smith is scheduled to open to families later this year when the nearby Temecula Valley Hospital on Temecula Parkway opens. Families admitted to the home will be referred there by the hospital, which provided a large donation to help the nonprofit buy the ranch house.